What is Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an annual observance on June 19 to remember when Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865.  Today it is celebrated by people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds.

Since its creation, Juneteenth has evolved to emphasize education and achievement in addition to commemorating the freedom of African American slaves. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It has become a great time for reflection and rejoicing.

Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday in 37 states of the United States.

Juneteenth celebration traditions include enunciated public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation as a reminder that the slaves have been proclaimed free.

Juneteenth festivities include wide range of public, community and private events such as:

• Baseball games.
• Pot luck outdoor cookouts, barbecues or picnics.
• Workplace lunches.
• Rodeos.
• Neighborhood or block parties.
• Community flag raising ceremonies.
• Juneteenth displays in city halls, libraries, schools and post offices.
• Essay or artwork competitions for young people.
• Presentations of community service awards.
• The distribution of Juneteenth buttons, t-shirts, mugs and bags.

Some people also decorate conference rooms or corridors at their workplace, their neighborhood and yards with Juneteenth banners, yard signs and flags to raise awareness of the event.

 In many African American families where the observance of the holiday is kept, the occasion is used as an opportunity to retrace family bloodlines, exchange artifacts and stress responsibility about striving to be the best you can be.

Though a number of contributing factors caused a general decline in Juneteenth observances in the beginning of the early 20^th century, a new resurgence as occurred. In 1994, the "Modern Juneteenth Movement" was born when a group of Juneteenth leaders from across the country gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana, at Christian Unity Baptist Church to work for greater national recognition of Juneteenth.

The meeting was convened by Rev. John Mosley, director of the New Orleans Juneteenth Freedom Celebration. This "Modern Juneteenth Movement" continues to steadfastly work for the passing of legislation by the U.S. congress to estsblish Juneteenth Independence Day a National Day of Observance.